While there's no exact number due to various definitions of "language" and ongoing research, estimates suggest that Africa has over 2,000 distinct languages spoken.
This diversity is partly attributed to:
* Long history and diverse cultures: Africa has a long history of human habitation and diverse cultural groups, each with their own languages.
* Limited language standardization: Many languages in Africa haven't been formally codified or standardized, leading to variations and dialects.
* Geographical isolation: Africa's vast and varied terrain contributed to the development of distinct languages in isolated regions.
It's important to note that the number of languages spoken in Africa is constantly evolving, with new languages emerging and others potentially disappearing.